Michigan

New park officially gets a name

Neighbors are probably already calling it that, but now it's official - Grandville newest recreational spot is Lee Street Park.

The park, located on a strip of land between upper and lower Lee Streets off of 29th Street north of Ivanrest, was officially dedicated at the city's 75th anniversary celebration in
September, but at that time Grandville's Park and Recreation Board hadn't decided on a name.
After numerous, more colorful suggestions were received, the board unanimously decided on the simple title Lee Street Park.

Other suggestions honored significant past or present citizens, such as Alkema Park, Dudas Park, and Elders Park, and a few reflected the park's past as a stop on the Grandville Interurban route in the early 20'th century.

"Interurban Park," "Streetcar Park," and "Commonwealth Park" were rejected as park names, but councilors said last week they still want visitors to know about the history of the site.

Councilor Stan Ponstein said he would like to see a display about the history of the interurban route at the park, and City Manager Ken Krombeen agreed. "There's some tie-ins (to history there); I think that we can find a way to recognize it," he said.